If ! - If you had a action, what would you build.

**treeman** · 06-01-2021, 23:45

I have just acquired a Musgrave 243 action, barrel has died.
What would you build on it?

I still love the idea of a 220 Swift.
Likely will be a 243 Ackley
No, I do not want a 6.5 anyfknthing.

Was wondering if a .303 would work on that action, really found myself impressed with the .303 bullets results - perhaps .303 ackley ?

**tcbc** · 07-01-2021, 02:33

Probably a 7mm-08. Same cartridge size,similar pressure, but longer barrel life

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**Ds J** · 07-01-2021, 03:48

The biggest question would be what is in your safe at the moment?
The second question would be your own heart's desires?

The 243 action has some interesting limits, being designed for shorter cartridges.

One can play light and fast, like the 220 Swift; or slow and heavy, like the 338 Federal or 358 Winchester. One could also go for accuracy and build a 6mmPPC.

Personally, I would probably go 243AI as well, with a long throat to accommodate heavy-for-calibre bullets.

**pblaauw** · 07-01-2021, 05:26

6mm Remington... it's old (like you) and will allow you to use good BC bullets without the inherent problems some 243's have... (also, the old joke is a joke, please don't be upset). It's also not a 6.5 something, it's a 6mm

**TStone** · 07-01-2021, 05:37

Musgrave built rifles on several different actions, manufactured by them and other makers (including 98 military actions), the action this rifle is built on, as well as gaps in my current battery, would determine what I would build on it. It is your action, pick a cartridge that you fancy, and will work in that action, and build that.

Extensive, read expensive, work would need to be done on most actions in order to build a .303 British. By .303 Ackley you are probably referring to the .303 Epps, going this route will probably mean that bullet performance will now be less than impressive due to impact velocity being considerably higher.

**Pirate** · 07-01-2021, 07:44

The big question is WHICH Musgrave action?

**treeman** · 07-01-2021, 08:33

Originally Posted by tcbc

Probably a 7mm-08. Same cartridge size,similar pressure, but longer barrel life

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Got one, man its a impressive cartridge. Using a plain 154 gr Hornady Interlok it just drops everything. Using the more expensive Monolithic type bullets has been less impressive to date.

**treeman** · 07-01-2021, 08:35

Originally Posted by Ds J

Personally, I would probably go 243AI as well, with a long throat to accommodate heavy-for-calibre bullets.

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The 243 AI is a gap I have in the safe.
.204
.22
.223
.?
.?
.270
.7mm-08

**treeman** · 07-01-2021, 08:38

Originally Posted by TStone

Musgrave built rifles on several different actions, manufactured by them and other makers (including 98 military actions), the action this rifle is built on, as well as gaps in my current battery, would determine what I would build on it. It is your action, pick a cartridge that you fancy, and will work in that action, and build that.

Extensive, read expensive, work would need to be done on most actions in order to build a .303 British. By .303 Ackley you are probably referring to the .303 Epps, going this route will probably mean that bullet performance will now be less than impressive due to impact velocity being considerably higher.

Originally Posted by Pirate

The big question is WHICH Musgrave action?

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Something I had forgotten, yes this is true, which .243?
I recall it being the one thats either a K98 or a close copy - a tidier K98 so to say.

Do any of the Musgrave actions have any issues ?

**Pirate** · 07-01-2021, 09:33

Originally Posted by treeman

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Something I had forgotten, yes this is true, which .243?
I recall it being the one thats either a K98 or a close copy - a tidier K98 so to say.

Do any of the Musgrave actions have any issues ?

If it's controlled feed it will either be a 98-type, Santa Barbara or Lyttleton/Vrystaat type. No issues with any. AFAIK in those actions the shorter cartridges used standard length actions, so you shouldn't be limited to short cartrides.

Post us a picture.

I would keep the bolt face as is, this greatly simplifies any choices.

I don't have much personal like for a 243, but I can completely see the value of a fast-twist 243AI. It'll be a completely different beast to a vanilla 243.